‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics

Critics are labeling a new government levy on housing developers in the Norfolk Broads as 'cash to trash' because it is too low to offset environmental damage. The policy allows for nearly 16,000 new homes to be built in protected wetlands in exchange for payments into a nature restoration fund.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores the tension between the urgent need for housing development and the preservation of protected ecological sites.
The Norfolk Broads are a heavily protected wetland network of 60 shallow lakes and winding rivers, home to some of England’s rarest species. The Norfolk Broads are a heavily protected wetland network of 60 shallow lakes and winding rivers, home to some of England’s rarest species. Environment policy ‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics say
Prefer the Guardian on Google A new levy on developers to allow almost 16,000 homes to be built in the environmentally protected Norfolk Broads has been cut by tens of thousands of pounds per house, the Guardian can reveal.
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